Just got word that I will be exhibiting with fellow artists from the painting trip at Timberfield, the Forbes family estate. The show will be at the Forbes Gallery on 5th Avenue from June 23 – September 10th. I am excited and frightened at the same time! The group includes some incredible artists, most of whom are from a different school of art than me (I’m more expressionist/plein air/self-taught, they more formal atelier training). So, I will be painting like a mad man between now and April 1st, when my paintings are due for the selection process. Here’s my first attempt. I’m planning a selection of both landscape and figure work. Wish me luck!

Today’s “Quick Paint” was delayed by rain, and ended the same way. I had lots of piles of grays to get rid of before I ship my equipment home tomorrow, and since it was a grey morning anyway, I had piles of paint ready to go!

I am very happy with this, one of my best paintings this week! I also got lots of kind comments from artists and collectors. They moved the auction into the nearby town hall afterward, and it was packed with bidders. I don’t like crowds (and I was exhausted), so I skipped the auction and headed to lunch. Enjoy!

Busy couple days, but finally ready for the show tomorrow night! It rained all day today, but I was able to finish a painting of a Venus-like statue at Edgewood Orchard Galleries. Last night, finished two paintings for the “Evening with the Artists” sunset reception. I did both a late afternoon/pre-sunset work and a really fun nocturne, both of which I hope to post tomorrow. My second Cavepoint painting below was painted yesterday, which was really productive!

Driving through the fog and rain in Sister Bay last night, I thought a bug or shiny tangible object had flown through my side window without a sound. I literally searched the cabin with my suspicious eyes, but, shock…are you ready for it?…it was a RAY OF SUNSHINE! I immediately pulled over, believing Ra himself had summoned me to paint! Then, realizing it was 8PM, the God of Pessimism (Dick Cheney?) won out and I wolfed down a pulled pork sandwich instead. Reason proved me wrong, for when I finished eating, an hour later, the sky was blazing with color! Lesson: BE AN OPTOMIST. Remember, everyone is smiling in Wisconsin, so they know something I don’t.

Painted at Woodwalk Gallery today in Egg Harbor, where owner/artist Margaret was the perfect hostess–supplying both bug spray and encouragement with a smile. When she asked how my painting was going, I replied (honestly) that it would either be great, or I’d crash and burn. Artist’s live on the edge. She really like that. I bet she sports a Harley.

The misquotes where vicious, and didn’t seem to realize that my BUG SPRAY was indeed targeted at THEM. Bastards!

Speaking of…”last year’s winner” (and fellow blogger–AND unreasonably tall) Colin Page was there, charming everyone (sans, misquotes). What an act! We joked last night at dinner that he’s the event’s “divo” (diva, masculine) as reigning winner, even insisting on only green M&M’s in his trailer (double-wide, I hear). All kidding aside, he’s a nice unreasonably tall and talented guy, who’s to marry in two weeks. Congrats, Colin!

And, finally, a sweet surprise, collector/artist Carole Abla all the way from Tennessee was there! We’d corresponded often in the “blog-o-sphere”, so it was great to finally meet her in person. She was nice enough to ask about my health, so if you missed it, rest assured I’m cancer free! Nothing like cancer to re-prioritize your life 🙂 See, it was on my “bucket list” to paint a door in the parking lot of a bug infested sauna, so this trip is all part of my ideal life.

Here are a couple painting’s I’ve yet to post. The painting I did today of an old 1890’s door is still being considered. Yes, the title came first–this is DOOR County. I like to sleep on paintings before posting, so we’ll see.

Here’s one of the paintings from the trip. The artists are to be featured in a show at The Forbes Galleries in Manhattan next year. This will be my first show in the “Big Apple”! I’m thrilled (and a bit nervous…this is an incredibly talented group!).

Timberfield, Oil on Linen, 10x12

UPDATE (7/26/2010): Kip was kindly sent some photos of the trip. Here are a couple:

I’ve cut down on the number of plein air events (one year, I did over 10–way too many!), and instead, are looking for events that will take me to new locales I haven’t painted before. Just finished Hearst Castle Plein Air, and my next show is in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin (I just mis-spelled Wisconsin, thanks spell check! I’ve never been to WI). The week-long event is July 19-24.

The list of artists is impressive, most of which I haven’t painted with before, like fellow bloggers Colin Page and Marc Hanson, and old friends like Carole Gray-Wiehman and Al Tofaneli. So, if you’re in the area (which, apparently includes Chicago), visit! I’ll try and post that week, but can’t guarantee it. “Job 1” is to paint 🙂 Here are some things to know about the event:

It’s been a wonderful couple days here at Hearst Castle for the invitational. The artists and staff of the castle have been great. I can’t wait to see everyone’s work framed for the show June 5. Tickets are available for $175 for the Friends of Hearst Castle’s “Twilight on the Terrace” fundraiser benefiting art programs for at risk youth.

Ed Terpening, Hearst Castle, May 13, 2010

My first effort was painting “Casa del Mar”, a guest house on the South Terrace of the castle. I got to take a peak inside…wow. Opulent doesn’t begin to describe it. Hearst himself spent his final years in this house. This is just about done, I think a couple minor tweaks when I get back to my studio should do it.

Casa Del Marr, Hearst Castle - Oil on Linen - 10x12

My next effort was painting this white marble statue, which I imagine is Cupid (sans arrow). While in full sun is always a joy for me to paint, as white takes on so many colors and reflections of light. I’m not sure the color of reflect light is quite right, so I may make some adjustments before I call this one done.

Cupid (Hearst Castle), Oil on Linen, 12x9

And on my final day, again on the South Terrace outside Casa del Mar, I painted this fountain and gold statue of a princess holding a frog. I realize the princess statue on top looks like an Oscar statuette, but that’s really what it looks like! Even the shadow side on the gold had a red glow. I’m happy with this one. It’s interesting to me because it almost looks like two different painters/styles: the fountain is high-key, colorist, and the background trees and distant shore are more traditional value painting.

South Terrace View (Hearst Castle), Oil on Linen, 12x9

As you can see, all of these paintings push color a bit. With full sun available, I didn’t paint much tonally. To make sure these colors are still on track, I look at the images in black & white as well. If light and shadow read well in black/white, it almost doesn’t matter what color you choose to paint (see my 2007 post on values). I think the light/shadow patterns read in this black/white versions, so these seem to be working.

I’ll be painting there May 12, 13 and the show is June 5, 2010. I’ll post more information as it becomes available. I assume you can visit the landmark the two days I’m painting there to watch, but will confirm in January.

Even though I felt I had a pretty good selection of paintings for the show tomorrow, I cranked out one last painting this morning. I think it’s the best of the week. It really paid off for me to stick to one area all week, and really study it. Even though this one doesn’t include the sea, there’s a peak (lower right) of the bluffs I’d been painting all week. I’d noticed this rock structure before (“the wave”), and how it had incredible reflected light in the morning. It just glowed. I think I was able to capture it, and although this scene is pretty complex, I think the eye is lead around the composition well and lands on that center of interest. I hope you enjoy it!

Wave of Rock (Avila Cove), Oil on Linen, 16x12

The show opens tomorrow at the Art Center with a Collector’s Party from 4-6PM, and then public exhibition as part of the art walk from 6-9PM. If you’d like to watch me paint, I’ll be participating in the “Quick Draw” in the square around the Mission on Saturday from 9:30-11:30AM, and then a public auction of the artist’s quick draw paintings from noon-2:30PM, also in the park in front of the mission. The show will run through Sunday until 4PM.